Five Element Acupuncture Nature's way of bringing you Health in Harmony

Writing

'Writer of Plays, Poetry, Song & Screen'

Here are some observances/thoughts of mine (all are original compositions by Andrew G. Ogleby).

If you have any comments on any of the work, I would love to hear from you!

Previous Plays (All Performed)

May 2018: When the Chips are Down (Short)

December 2017: Jackie and the Pirates of the Prime Meridian (Pantomime)

July/November 2015: Troubled meets the Troubadour (Short)

Screenwriting (Performance)

2018: Gus Zatoichi scene from Just Drive. A Fox and Chips Production, London

Latest Verse

The first verse on this page is called Less, is More

The second verse on this page is called...

I’m Not Gonna

I’m Not Gonna,be
the next Heavyweight Champion of the World
I’m Not Gonna, play in the following, football World Cup Final and Score
I’m Not Gonna, be the fastest, strongest or go furthest anytime soon
I’m Not Gonna, get a billion likes for something, I charitably choose to endorse
I’m Not Gonna, receive the Best Acting Oscar Award, at no Star Spangled ceremony
I’m Not Gonna, be the latest celebrity pinup, posterboy icon to be adored
I’m Not Gonna, live in a multi-storied mansion, somewhere in the sun
I’m Not Gonna, make the owning of millions, my nice tidy sum
I’m Not Gonna, land on Mars or any other planet in our Solar System
I’m Not Gonna, find a cure for the common cold or famine and greed
I’m Not Gonna, be the one to prevent climate change and get all the plastic out
of the seas
I’m Not Gonna, be crowned King, Queen, P.M, President or Dictator Supreme
I’m Not Gonna, be anointed High Priest or play any part in the Second Coming
I’m Not Gonna, be Leader of the Live Revolution, that will not be social-media screened
I’m Not Gonna, halt all the bombings, wars and the para-military scene
I’m Not Gonna, stop all the hatred and divisive, divisionary scorn
I’m Not Gonna, prevent all cruelty, suffering and enforced manipulation
I’m Not Gonna, end Homelessness and every, Mental Health problem
I’m Not Gonna, bring Peace and Prosperity, to all those that are newly born
I’m Not Gonna, solve all of the planet's, and its every inhabitant's needs
I’m Not Gonna, be able to do all these things and much more…

But of one thing, which I’m gonna be sure,
Is that I won’t be getting out of here alive,
And until then, I’ll do my Goddamn Best, to Help us Survive!

(February 2019)

A Timeless Time

Capturing time, of a scene n’er more to pass
Capturing time and essence, of something stood-stopping
Capturing time, with everything uniquely positioned,
For the now, instantly becoming the then
Never to be aligned, in the same stratosphere again

The same passing, the same meaning
The same conditions, the exact same configurations,
The same lighting, the same directing,
The same aging and intentions given
That frozen in time, of a moment that once happened
But not anymore, to be exactly so captured

A snap-shot, showing what was what,
At that specific timeless, point and dot
To then be viewed, through different hues
With a multitude, of different views
Making out what it was, that was supposedly mentioned
The eternal encapsulation, that can’t be grasped
Only mere speculation, as to what was its actual intention

And something so seemingly, humdrum and mortally mundane
Only once spared a glance, amongst those other glittery, fancy-pants
In time, may be seen to say more, than a whole volume of self-obsessional lure,
As a picture showing the then truth, of the then situation
At that precise moment in time, for whatever reason
Will now go down in the annals, as the only visible record,
Of said incident ever occurring, now there for as long as its self is

(Oct 2018)

Madame Choly

A sudden glimpse, through darkened streets at night
Cloak draped, flowing behind as she glides on by
Shadowed against the half-lit, monochrome back drop
The Lady, with no destination nor any possible time to spare
Walking ever on, lost in her own never-ending despair

Her expression vacant, as if other-worldly here
Eyes staring blankly, to some far-off, distant place
Skin serenely flawless, on her purely driven face
Leaving the bereft beholder, wanting to know,
What really lies within, that surfaces so without?

Madame Choly, is she unblemishedly Holy?
Or possessed, by a fallen heavenly body?
Has her soul been betrayed, by one who strayed?
Or just, smitten and struck by the malady,
That is the loneliest, of afflicted humours earthly?

The Lady of vast mystery, intrigue and beguiling artistry
Always searching, for that which she is unknowingly yearning
Quietly, effortlessly, ethereal, almost breathlessly,
Off to where, we will never know nor fully understand,
Only left mortally here to gasp, stare and stand, spellbound

(Oct 2018)

Mojo Blues

My Mojo’s
left me
Just went up, and out one day
My Mojo’s left me
Just got up, and walked right out that way
Now I’m left here all alone
Not knowing whether, I should go or stay?

If you ever lose, your Mojo,
This is what’ll, come of you
If you ever lose, your Mojo,
You’ll find it hard, to pull on through
So make sure, you look after it properly,
And it’ll then, take good care of you!

My Mojo’s
left me
Wish it would, come back today
My Mojo’s left me
Without it, I just can’t function, no way!
What’s to get out of bed for?
So within it, I’ll just lay!

[Chorus]

My Mojo’s
left me
Wish it would return, right away
My Mojo’s left me
If you see it, please send back, my way
Ain’t no reason, for it to have left,
Perhaps I neglected it, for it to stay?

[Chorus]

So make sure, you look after it properly,
And it’ll then, take good care of you!

So make sure you look after it properly,
And it’ll then, take good care of you!

So make sure you look after it properly,
And it’ll then, take good care of you!

So don’t
feel bad, if you’ve indulged too much
No don’t feel bad, if your conscience, is way out of touch
Just throw your hard-earned waste away,
It’ll get down to me one day!

[Chorus]

If you’re
looking for someone to blame,
Send it down, addressed to the same name
If you want to cast-away, your cast-offs today
Right down here with me, they’ll then gladly stay!

[Chorus]

I dine
at the lower end of the town,
Artisan, it surely ain’t!
I teach myself the ways of the world
Privileged and pampered, just ain’t my bent
I accept myself for who and what I am
Looks and connections, don’t pay my rent!

[Chorus]

And if
an opportunity, should come a-knocking
Just toss it down here, right away
If there’s anything, that I can do
Don’t worry that it’ll cause a scramble, and one hullabaloo!

[Chorus]

(Oct 2018)

Dog-Gone
Day (part 1)

Another Dog-End, of another Dog-Gone Day
What did I do, last week?
What did I do, yesterday?
I’m sure, there was something, I wanted to do?
I’m sure, there was something, I wanted to say?

Another Dog-End, of another Dog-Gone Day

Another Dog-End, of another Dog-Gone Day

I’m sure, there must be something, I should be
doing?
I’m sure, there is somewhere, I should be going?
I’m sure, there is something, I should be knowing?
If only this, would now all be bestowing…

Another Dog-End, of another Dog-Gone Day

Another Dog-End, of another Dog-Gone Day

Memories are fraught, with these frantic things
No clear transcription, of all transactions, said and done
No full-photographic footage, of every nuanced, evaluated sum
No recorded, she said, he did, they were with, what, who and why they may
Another Dog-End, of another Dog-Gone Day
Another Dog-End, of another Dog-Gone Day

But tomorrow, it will all be, alright
again!
Tomorrow, you'll see, I’ll be as right as rain again!
Tomorrow, it’ll all be, crystal clear again!
So just have to wait till then, to get back on my feet again!

Can’t tune in properly, always white-noise interference,
From some far-off, intergalactic exploding radio-station
Never managing to re-tune, properly
Never managing to find any-tune, logically
Never hearing the full-chorus, with any clarity
All this Silence is resoundingly Deafening for me!

At night, under-cover, the bombardment is most
prominent
Man, this is a thing close to torture!
Like the sound of out-of-tune violin strings,
Constantly being screeched, against the side, of an old, rusty tin-can

When turbulence is up, interference levels, trebles,
Like calling time, on a Pennsylvanian Nursery Rhyme
That has no warp or weft left to reside

Statement! Statement!

Does this even measure up, to the excruciating
extraction, of thoughts and minds?
I come here often, but this answer I can never find
The blessed relief of oral consumption
Marking the defining separation, of tone and tempo

Tinnit-me. Tinnit-you. Tinnit-usss
Tinnit-me. Tinnit-you. Tinnit-usss

Back out, amongst the blast-fanfare, of a constant, cochlea cacophony,
Bizarre beats of jagged, avent-guard, freestyle Acid-Jazz, played out on a G-String
vibrato
Could I even consider this, if not for this out of tune temporal tirade?

Dogs Howling. Snakes Hissing. Pigs Grunting. Owls
Hooting. Parakeets screeching
All along the banks of the Great Hudson River,
As it crashes and cascades, on towards the 5th of November

At the end of this nadir, cacophonous hour,
Transcendence finally takes over
Until the whistle and klaxon, once more resound

When able to do so, Get Out of the Firing Line! Get
Out of the Firing Line!

Take cover in the nearest darkened out bunker.

Take
all necessary, medicinal measures and means. Take all necessary, medicinal
measures and means

Migraine Attack! Migraine Attack!

Vile, debilitating nausea may now take over

Do Not Resist! Be sick! I Repeat, Do Not Resist! Be sick!

Avoid Noise at All Costs! Avoid Noise at All Costs!

If then subject to a horrific, sonic-exploding,
throbbing, pulsating, head-attack

Do Not Panic! I Repeat Do Not Panic!

Keep hold of your senses. At All Costs. Keep
hold of ALL your senses!

Vomit Whenever Possible. Do Not Hold Back! Vomit Whenever Possible.

Do Not Aggravate. Do Not Seek Light. I Repeat, Do
Not Aggravate! Do Not Seek Light!

Migraine Attack! Migraine Attack!

Hold on Tight. Avoid All Noise and Light!
Hold on Tight. Avoid All Noise and Light!

I Repeat, Avoid All Noise and Light.

Be Patient and it will all eventually pass. Be
Patient. It Will All Eventually Pass…

Sir! The Pathogenic Contamination has now been Extricated.

ALL CLEAR! ALL CLEAR!

I Repeat, The Pathogenic Contamination has now been Extricated!

You May Now Proceed With Caution

You May Now Proceed With Caution

My-Graine, Your-Graine, Our-Graine

My-Graine, Your-Graine, Our-Graine

My-Graine, Your-Graine, Our-Graine

Dog-Gone
Day (Reprise)

Another Dog-End, of another Dog-Gone Day
Another Dog-End, of another Dog-Gone Day
Another Dog-End, of another Dog-Gone Day
Hoooooowwwwwwwlllllllll…..

(Oct 2018 - to be performed as one movement with musical accompaniment)

Can
I Have My Fuck Back Please?

Can I have my fuck back please?
It’s gone over your fence, without causing any offence,
And is now nestled, nice and cosily up in your trees

Can I have my fuck back please?
I am really so sorry, I don’t know how it happened
And I’ll make quite sure, it won’t ever do so again

Can I have my fuck back please?
For I am now, so very lost without it,
With my life no longer expressing, what it was once meant to mean

Can I have my fuck back please?
Because the words’ use, has since become abhorrent,
And the wee-rascal, really doesn’t warrant such derogatory,
Rending it no longer inflammatory, from what it was once so proud to be
Something ironically, I now find quite insulting to me

Can I have my fuck back please?
You see, it’s now used in such a glib, surly, offhand way,
By those, who really have nothing more worthy to say
Having been reduced, to a mere sentence filler,
With pronunciation in a bored, mealy-mouthed, casually hackneyed way
Gentrified, pacified, nullified, desensitised and sanitised
Whereas others, like me, still longingly look back with fondness,
And fits of panging, punkful nostalgia
On those past glorious, honest, filthful, non-P.C Halcyon days

Can I have my fuck back please?As there was a time, when to use it was…

Exciting, daring, like committing a crime

It really meant something, to express,

With such succinct, sincere sentiment

To gladly shock, with scandal and awe,

And mock the deserving, who didn’t have a clue,

Until toward their direction, it came a-hurtling to

Can I have my fuck back please?
I’ll do my very best to nurture and protect it, to only use when absolutely necessary
And teach all new-comers, the wonderful ways of the words world
How to properly abuse, amuse and give proper emphasis to what you want to say
And in so doing, promise from this day forth, from my vocabulary it will no
longer stray

So can I now have my fuck back please?
Please. Please. What do you say?

Top Down. Bottom Up! (Backing Vocals)Waiting in line
Or passing, straight-on through?

Caste aside from birth,
Never seeing your true worth
Untouchable, unlovable, instantly forgettable
Or dinning at the top-table,
Having all you ever want, not need
With an ever expanding, girth from greed!

This
Hierarchy Malarkey!
This Hierarchy Malarkey!

[Chorus]

In such a society, not given opportunity
And with no humility, it’s just organised anarchy!
Any structure, where the privileged point of the pyramid prosper
For no reason, other than from a position of exclusive collusion!
Whilst the baseline continue to suffer at the hands of,
Nepotism, elitism, cronyism, race and sexism from a corrupt, top-wealth heavy
system!

This Hierarchy Malarkey!
This Hierarchy Malarkey!

[Chorus]

Although
those at the bottom are stronger, cause they bear the brunt of the weight they
are under
Whereas the morally weak top 1-percent, own more than the rest of us put
together
Gained from being mean at others expense,
Gained from taking advantage of others difference
With no wealth distribution, just second-class service for those born into
segregation and alienation. And all the rest in-between, making this whole skewed
system, so obscene!

This Hierarchy Malarkey!
This Hierarchy Malarkey!

[Chorus]?

We don’t
want no more of, This Hierarchy Malarkey!
No don’t want no more of, This Hierarchy Malarkey!
Don’t want no more of this!
Don’t want no more of this!
No don’t want no more of this!
Don’t want no more of this!
Don’t want no more of this!
No don’t want no more of...
This Hierarchy Malarkey!

(July 2018)

Default Attitude Cool

Blessed
at the moment of conception
Born in harmony with your convention
Destined to fulfil your potential,
With such ease, to be as you please
Cuz you’ve got default attitude cool!

Not having to try too hard
Not having to drive too fast
Knowing you’re gonna be first, not last
Whilst still, breaking up those rules
Attracting all the girls and boys
That’s default attitude cool!

Always top
at your school,
Straight in the team at first call
And then best at your job,
Earning money with no hard slog
Cuz you’ve got default attitude cool!

[Chorus]

You’re
the one that all the heads turn to
Right on time, whatever’s asked of you
At the head of fashion, thought and subculture
Knowing that you were born to be a star
Cuz you’ve got default attitude cool!

[Chorus]

Even
after your star turned black
Your song keeps singing on
With vibrations reverberating out
To all those still in doubt
That you are default attitude cool!

Still is
the night, before the longest day
Still is the day, that then just won’t go away
The height of the year, with life at its peak
When we go searching to find, what we can seek

Over
hedgerows, forever and on
And for as far, as the eye can see
A picture so perfect, illuminated by the Ball of Fire,
Rising out from an immense, tranquil sea
At the same moment and trajectory,
It has done each year, for endless centuries

Because there’s only one thing
that shines, can make this happen
Because there’s only one thing that shines, can make me see
That the reason for life is so circumstantial
That’s the reason for everything and you and me

So the world will keep revolving,
Like waves crashing upon the deep blue sea
Until in the end, as in the beginning,
Eventually, it all in turn, once more shall be…

Be
still, there’s no need for speed
Be still, peace descends as the great Fire Bird ascends,
Filling the sky, transmitting to everything beneath
With this, its most altruistically sounding behest

They’ll
be food on the table you’ll see,
And wine, from last year’s vine
So rejoice, give praise for this passing, don’t rush on by
Take your time and savour every last drop my friend
For it will be another full-revolution,
Before we reach such elevation again

Because there’s only one thing that
shines, can make this happen
Because there’s only one thing that shines, can make me see
That the reason for life is so circumstantial
That’s the reason for everything and you and me

So the world will keep revolving,
Like waves crashing upon the deep blue sea
Until in the end, as in the beginning,
Eventually, it all in turn, once more shall be…

So be
still, there’s no need for worry
Be still, there’s no need for want nor strife
Just take, and breathe it all in
The giver of life’s, right on time once again

There’s nothing left to be done
The race has now been run
It’s time to let go and connect
It’s time for having fun
So laugh, sing, dance and love,
Under the Sun in the sky, shining so high above

Because there’s only one thing
that shines, can make this happen
Because there’s only one thing that shines, can make me see
That the reason for life is so circumstantial
That’s the reason for everything and you and me

So the world will keep revolving,
Like waves crashing upon the deep blue sea
Until in the end, as in the beginning,
Eventually, it all in turn, once more shall be… [Repeat to Fade]

(July 2018)

B.A.T.S of Blood!

The clouds part, the full-moon’s out
The taste of quarry, hung heavy about
The time has come, there’s no gettin’ away
The B.A.T.S of Blood come rushing out,
On this, your Judgement Day!

B-B-B-B.A.T.S of Blood
They’ll come a-lookin’ for you!
B-B-B-B.A.T.S of Blood
There’s nothing that you can do!
B-B-B-B.A.T.S of Blood
Better hide where you can
B-B-B-B.A.T.S of Blood
But with their echo-location on,
There’s no gettin’ away man!

So better
do what you can, keep outta harm’s way
Better find a safehouse, somewhere you can stay
Better hunker-down tight, hope they’ll pass this night
But it’s just a matter of time, before your luck runs out,
And you’ll be left, hanging upside down on the line!

B-B-B-B.A.T.S of Blood
They’ll come a-lookin’ for you!
B-B-B-B.A.T.S of Blood
There’s nothing that you can do!
B-B-B-B.A.T.S of Blood
Better hide where you can
B-B-B-B.A.T.S of Blood
But with their echo-location on,
There’s no gettin’ away man!

So
you’ve heard the warnings, know what you need to do
To stop the B.A.T.S of Blood honing in, and come lookin’ for you
There’s still time left, to change your tact,
There’s still time left, to do what’s right
To stop those B.A.T.S of Blood, swooning down your street at night!

B-B-B-B.A.T.S of Blood
They’ll come a-lookin’ for you!
B-B-B-B.A.T.S of Blood
There’s nothing that you can do!
B-B-B-B.A.T.S of Blood
Better hide where you can
B-B-B-B.A.T.S of Blood
But with their echo-location on,
There’s no gettin’ away man! [Repeat ‘You may now just get away man!’]

(July 2018)

Tough Love

Tough Love, is what I get enough of
Tough Love, fitting, just like a fist in a glove
Tough Love, doesn’t make me wanna take my coat off
Tough Love, you know what I mean there bruv
Tough Love, like coming from the man up-above

Tough Love, saying what they think is best for you
Tough Love, taking the stiff upper-lip, approach with you
Tough Love, condescending and patronising you
Tough Love, well this may all be good and true
Tough Love, but it's just not what I really want, thank you!

(June 2018 - with reference to a piece by legendary beat-poet, Jazzman John Clarke at the end)

Somewhere On The
Spectrum

Somewhere On The Spectrum, that’s me!
Somewhere between grief and happiness, I’ll be
Always shifting from one to the other,
There ain’t no knowing brother
Well, that’s just the way,
It’s always been for me!

But I’d not have it, any other way. No way! [No Way!]
No I’d not trade, with you at all today
It’s the thing that keeps me goin'
Gets me up, stayin’ forever knowin’
There’s gotta be a better way
So until I find it, right here, I’ll stay!

Somewhere On The
Spectrum, that’s me!
Somewhere between grief and happiness, I’ll be
Always shifting from one to the other,
There ain’t no knowing brother
Well, that’s just the way,
It’s always been for me!

Though it keeps me forever outside, looking in
At least, I won’t have to travel this way again
No two days are ever the same,
I don’t know, how many more remain
But until that day arrives,
I’ll be right here, happy just, bein' alive

Somewhere On The Spectrum, that’s me!
Somewhere between grief and happiness, I’ll be
Always shifting from one to the other,
There ain’t no knowing brother
Well, that’s just the way,
It’s always been for me!And though, you might not think it,
We’re all really, the same way
Not knowing how we’ll be, from day to day
You may think, you’re on your own
But there’s no need, for stayin’ alone
So simply, join in the chorus and say

Somewhere On The Spectrum, that’s me!
Somewhere between grief and happiness, I’ll be
Always shifting from one to the other,
There ain’t no knowing brother
Well, that’s just the way,
It’s always been for me!

[Slow] Well that’s just the way, it’s always been for me!

(Jan 2018 - That, to different degrees, we are all really just a bagful of changing emotions)

Night Kicks

I get my kicks at night, when I’m asleep,
I get my kicks at night, when I’m in real-deep
I don’t need no counting, of no fuckin’ sheep
What I get there, ain’t nothing can compete

Endorphins racing, adrenaline pumping,
There ain’t no need for any, morphine or amphetamine
Man! I’m right there feeling the rush
Man! I’m right there diggin' the scene
Right in, not in-between

This, the closest it gets to Bliss
This, a massive hit, from one-huge
Earthbound, Heavenly sent Kiss!

A natural feeling of pure joy and peace
Like a born again, or out of body release
Prana, Qi, Satori and Nirvana,
All infusing and flowing
To give such satisfying,
Enlightenment Karma

If only this, I could contain
If only this, would still remain
God I didn’t know, it could be so good
God if I did, then I certainly would

So why then, do I awake?
Why then, do I make that mistake?
When wide-awake, as ever I’ve been
To then, just be left here,
Reeling from this, such tantalisingly, tangible dream

But at least, I’ve been there and seen
And if this is what it’s like up there,
Well, take me again Baby, I’m keen!

(Jan 2018 - Following a rare blissful night's sleep)

Deep Down and Dirty
Lookin’

Deep Down and Dirty Lookin’
Going Deep Down and Dirty Lookin’
I’m Lookin’ Deep Down and Dirty Lookin’
Going Deep Down and Dirty Lookin’

There ain’t no way, that I’m forgettin’
Ain’t no way, that I’m not gettin’
Deep Down and Dirty Lookin’

It’s the reason, I now have for livin’
To get Deep Down and Dirty Lookin’
No more time, wasted on the surface scratchin’
For this thing, there just ain’t no comparin’
There ain’t no way, that I’m forgettin’
Ain’t no way, that I’m not gettin’
Deep Down and Dirty Lookin’

We’re getting closer, now we’re cookin’
Feel my soul and the earth a tremblin’
Deep Down here, where there’s no returnin’
Deep Down here, with no more need for searchin’

There ain’t no way,
that I’m forgettin’
Ain’t no way, that I’m not gettin’
Deep Down and Dirty Lookin’

Deep Down here, it’s just beginin’
Deep Down here, with Dirt a flyin’
Deep down here, there’s no denyin’
Deep down here’s so satisfyin’

There ain’t no way, that I’m forgettin’
Ain’t no way, that I’m not gettin’
Deep Down and Dirty Lookin’

When Deep Down and Dirty Lookin’
I’m Deep Down and Dirty Lookin’
Deep Down and Dirty Lookin’
Deep Down and Dirty Lookin’
Deep Down and Dirty Lookin’…

(Jan 2018 - An attempt to write a deeper Rhythm & Blues feel)

My Baby’s Blues

My Baby’s Blues,
Comes in different hues
Say, my Baby’s Blues,
It comes in different hues
One day she’s flying Sky Blue
The next she’s wearing,
[Those] Deep-down indigo shoes

My Baby’s Blues,
Comes in different hues
Say, my Baby’s Blues,
It comes in different hues
One day, she’s pure electric,
The next, she’s violet,
With trouble for you know who

One and one make two
But there just aint knowing who,
Will come off that paint-palette,
From one day to the next

So I’m tellin’ you honey
This is the one thing,
That’s now, got me hung-up,
And been getting me vexed

I’ve tried my best,
But there’s no rest
And now, it’s left me,
Not knowing, just what to do

[Repeat chorus]

Though I love her all the same,
This thing’s driving me insane
Though I love her all the same,
This thing’s driving me insane

So won’t you help me please,
Before it brings me,
Down to my knees

I’m beggin’ you please,
Won’t you help me,
Before it brings me, right down to my knees!

(Jan 2018 - About no one in-particular. Just an excuse to write some Blues and rhyme it with 'Hues')

Same
Streets

[With Backing Track.
Showing Street Scenes of London]

Let me show you
something, come, take me by the hand
We’ll grab a cab and go down town, and take a drive around
To see that these Same Streets are
still not so grand
And open your eyes to what really lies beneath,
The City’s deceivingly beautiful, gleamingly thin, veneer

Exclusive high-rise,
modern, glass fronted buildings,
Disparagingly looking down on those many still below, rough sleeping
Deviously designed though to ensure that they don’t get too comfortable,
Else it will look unsightly, in the morning, for those coming in through them

Whereas those in high-rises on the other-side of town,
Are being priced out, or left in accommodation sub-standard for living in,
With crass cuts to services, but millions still spent,
Whilst crudely cutting corners, to save money on exteriors never fit for
purpose
Which were not anyhow necessary,
Just made, to make the ‘eye-sore’ to those others,
More aesthetically pleasing
Fatality resulting in lives now senselessly lost,
With a community still consumed in its raging and grieving

Then there's the whole shambolically futile Britain fucksit up process, causing clear in-division
Where once there was compliance, there’s now tangible defiance and derision
Vindictive trolling and hate crime on the rise, the showing of brutality for no justifiable reason
Against those they so ignorantly and cowardly despise
Weapon crime and acid attacks as some form of callous personal pay back?
Or just a way to dispense, their hideously venomous, pent-up poison

A gutless jogger, nastily knowing when elbowing over a fellow commuter
So a bridge, he can then continue to trundle arrogantly over
There’s now also the scourge of modern Byway Robbery,
By maliciously, malevolent, moped thieves
After anything they can take, swiped from right out of your sleeves
Pushing, chancing, the quickest way of advancing
Life forever pursuing the limited higher end chasing

There’s people, instantly communicating globally by various means
But without even a word or concern, for their nearest neighbours’ needs
Stuck in a world of their own, obsessed by what they send and receive
The need to be liked, instant gratification, with instant gratification please! Before then being instantly
forgotten
Self-consumed, self-promoting, this selfish, selfie-taking fashion

So you still think you're lonely? Well, they say the loneliest
place, is in the middle of a crowd,
And man this City can be fast, cold and loud!
Especially if you’re not part of its inner, invited, selective, in-crowd
The haves and the have nots,
Caused from an unequal distribution of wealth
Yeah the same old story, the blinkered fight for transient power and glory!

Food Banks. Gross Bank Bonuses. Modern Slavery

Women having trouble having babies

Refugees having trouble gaining entry
Modern living escalating mental wellbeing issues,
All against the continual suffering of a reduced,
Life-supporting, National Health Service
Having been built free for all, at its essential point of being used…

Now as the cab now pulls
over and you go on your way
I do hope you have seen something, and with you it will stay
And that your minds judgement can also be swayed
And that you now understand, that nothing’s really changed
And it’s just life for many as ever before, simply surviving on the
ground

Yet hope somehow miraculously remains, and it’s still not too late, for that real rain,
To some day come and wash, the stench of filth, from these same Same
Streets, to make them once clean again…

(Oct 2017: Full length version of a poem to appear in a scene from the upcoming feature film 'The Passenger')

That
Night

I didn’t really feel I had the right, to write about that
night,
Because I was on the other-side of town, in a house, tucked up tight...

I didn’t really feel I had the right, to write about that night,
Because I am not considered poor, and am classed indigenously white...

I didn’t really feel I had the right, to write about that night,
Because I won’t ever know the extent of their horrific plight
I didn’t see the dreadful scenes, hear the haunting screams,
And experience the total fright
Because the sickening stench I didn’t smell, from that brutally toxic, inferno
hell...

I didn’t really feel I had the right, to write about that night,
Because it wasn’t mine that were affected,
Or I wasn’t one, of the truly heroic braves,
Whose own lives, they, without thinking neglected,
To save those, so gravely afflicted...

I didn’t really feel I had the right, to write about that night,
Because I didn’t have to make split-second decisions, or send texts asking for forgiveness

I didn't flee the scene, still dressed in clothing made for lounging,
With worldly possessions hurriedly thrown in a trolley,
To escape the imminent danger, all-consuming

Or I didn’t have to frantically grab,
A text book, on my perilous way out,
So I could then incredibly and stoically,
Still sit, later that day, in school,
An exam, in G.C.S.E chemistry...

I didn’t really feel I had the right, to write about that night,
Because I wasn’t in the aftermath dealing,
With the utter shock and total disbelief,
Of what had just unfolded, with such ferocious speed,
With people who had lost everything, and wanting immediate help,
To deal with their every, catastrophic need...

I didn’t really feel I had the right, to write about that night,
But I can still share their sense of anger, of the senseless surrender,
Of lives, whose tremendously unfulfilled potential,
Was not deemed to be as good, as those others, in the rest of the neighbourhood

And the time elapsed for support to be finally given,
Left to others in grief to organise their relief
Then to suffer the spouting from platitudinous politicians,
Though some did rightly meet, those who really mattered,
But in one stark case, it was so scandalously selected...

I didn’t really feel I had the right, to write about that
night,
But I can still share their sense of rage that the numbers aren’t right,
And wanting answers, to know how this could happen, in 2017 Britain?
Especially why they had glibly dismissed, so many warnings previously given?
And what now for those lives, severely shattered?
And others in similar situations, now scattered?

Then being incensed at the crass cuts,
But still millions spent, and crudely cutting corners,
To save money on cladding, never fit for purpose,
Which was not anyhow necessary,
Just made, to make the ‘eye-sore’ to others,
Seem more aesthetically pleasing...

Well they now have a ghastly, ghostly blot as a reminder, of just what can happen,
When life is so easily, and neglectfully cheapened...

I didn’t really feel I had the right, to write about that
night,
But I can still share their fear for the future,
As restlessness and division grow deeper
We don’t want a repeat of what’s gone before,
But when voices aren’t heard,
Then some feel they don’t have a choice...

I didn’t really feel I had the right, to write about that
night,
But I still would like to sincerely salute, such a courageous community,
For taking stock of the situation, and giving all that they got
And showing what they have got, is worth far more,
Than those lot, who really couldn’t give a jot, have got...

I didn’t really feel I had the right, to write about that
night,
But I have, and I’m glad as I can take heart,
From those many that do care, as was
seen,
Who came together and showed others,
That what in the end shines through,
And what really matters, is the human spirit to pull through,
With compassion and love to overcome,
And a belief in the greater, communal good... Justice for Grenfell

Thought! You've either got it, or you haven't! Well, I have a God given talent for the later...

Thought!Bling it, Until You Blang It!

Thought! We are generally happy, until we see someone else has better or more...

Katie Crush (A Song)

Katie, Katie, Katie,
Katie
I wanna be much more than matey
Oh, Katie, Katie, Katie, Katie
But do you even really like me?

At the local disco community centre
I wait patiently for you to enter
I say ‘Hi’, but you don’t even see me,
And I know, only too well how this will end
As you just walk right by, with your giggling friends

Katie, Katie, Katie, Katie
I wanna be much more than matey
Oh, Katie, Katie, Katie, Katie
But do you even really like me?

The way you twirl your bubble-gum around your finger
Oh, how I wanna make that moment linger
Then watching your blown out gum,
Become a moment I wish I could freeze
Making me feel all trembley and go weak at the knees

Katie, Katie, Katie, Katie
I wanna be much more than matey
Oh, Katie, Katie, Katie, Katie
But do you even really like me?

The way you alone, make me feel
If only this to you, I could reveal
But I know, this just won’t happen
So I’m now thinking of moving out to Clapham…

Katie, Katie, Katie, Katie
I wanna be much more than matey
Oh, Katie, Katie, Katie, Katie
But do you even really like me?
Do you even really notice me?
Do you ever even think of me?

Oh Katie, looks like it’s the single life for me!

(March 2017: From the theme of 'Kate' at the GFMA Writers Group. A tale of late teenage angst about no one in particular, but based heavily on the fabulous work of Jilted John who I went to see perform last week.)

Humans (An Open Verse)

Humans what the fuck you doing?

And Humans, just what the fuck is going on?

The way you treat each other,

Abusing beliefs

Deaths and atrocities,

Now in Aleppo and the Yemen

My brothers and Sisters, this just can't go on,

Oh brother! something's now got to be done

Where is the Human,

In humanity?

Don't we all just really want,

And need the same?

This ain't no revelation,

No new rule of the game

Shelter, food, warmth, love, safety

Health and happiness

It's the same as it's ever been,

Since Adam and Eve

Not forced eviction,

At the barrel of a gun

Just what has gone so wrong,

For this not to become?

We share everything in common

This is something that even

A blind chimpanzee can see

We have it all, yet still not enough

If nothing changes, we won't be missed

Just a flash in the pan,

Reduced to debris and dust

(January 2017: Under Construction)

Wasting Hating

Time wasted hating

In senseless negating

And endless regurgitating

Of spurious hostility finding

Lost in contraction

And sure condemnation

Prevention of expansion

To a higher function

In fighting, not listening

Seeing only blinkered vision

It's all self-consuming,

Driven by the fuel

Of ignorance, not knowing

A self-fulfilling prophecy

Engulfing and spewing

Keeping the vicious cycle,

Forever spinning

Round and Round

Round and Round

Round and Round

Spreading to others,

Consuming on it's way

Never a thought for them

Until the day they die

With no chance then

For redemptive goodbye

The guilt that bitterly consumes

Till the final day of calling

Then passes onto the next

And the next or until,

At last despair

Realization dawns

To remove the ingrained scorn

See just what could be

And what an utter waste it's all been

With what can be achieved

Without the need of such gall and greed

(January 2017)

Convention

Conventions full of anal retentions

Laid down laws by such dullard bores

To go against the grain,

Takes a bucket-load of strain

To be yourself without need for refrain

To pay no heed, just keep going,

Again and again and again

Convention, the sick-sister of Invention

Never going against the aforementioned

Formality breeding such banality

Rules, made to make them feel like Fools

Restrictive, Prescriptive, Conflictive

Conscription and Castration

Dumb down, Don't rock the boat

Keeping them forever obeying,

Form filling, with fear of straying

And having to think on their own

No longer willing to break the link

They win, You lose

Game Over

(January 2017)

Searching for the Spirit of the Season

Searching for the Spirit of the Season

Searching for something we can believe in

Searching for the rhyme and the reason,

That undefinable and indisputable feeling

But where to be found?

Up in sky or down upon ground,

Amongst trees or far out to sea,

Or around the hearth of a loving family?

From presents received and given,

Or from the depths of solitude,

That deserted walls have hidden?

Or diffused within the vast silent expanse,

With all others far out of vision?

Is it to be found at the bottom,

Of a forever surrendering glass?

Or in the look and sweet kiss,

From a tenderly touching lass?

Enchantingly captivating,

With that certain and ever knowing,

Hypnotic allure in her eye

Felt deep within a beating heart,

Connecting with the bigger certainty

The most precious gift of all

As deftly summoned through

The mysterious chemistry,

Of the Great Alchemist's,

Most phantasmagorical wizardry

The essence that can't be touched, only experienced

For to try to capture and contain

Sees it simply slip through your hopeless grasp yet again

So just to let it be, is the only way to see,

And in time, it just might come back again,

Ever so effortless and wholly naturally...

(Christmastime 2016)

Thought! I Wonder, Just Where Has the Wonder Gone..?

Thought! In the End, All that Matters, Is All that Matters...

Thought! Who Teaches When the Teachings have been Lost..?

(Dec 2016)

Late Night Scribbling

I accept my lot

My fate is sealed

Too much exposed

Too much revealed

With my behest

My spirit rest

Too much gone

Too few to come

And all bygones

Now will be done

(Dec 2016: Of Acceptance and Forgiveness)

Greetings from a
Cellar(In the Style of a Letter Home from the Front 100 Years Before)

Greetings from a cellar
It’s rather hot down here
But it’ll be the Final Show soon,
And will then all be over
And time for us to go up on top,
To see how really is the weather

Greetings from a cellar
It’s also rather crowded down here
There’s flesh and bodies abound all round
And the strange sound of toots and hoots,
From the vault far after
Along with the regular Wiz Bang from up above
Crashing and causing leeks to appear,
And that nearly bring down the ceiling

Greetings from a cellar
Trapped down here in this living hell,
Looking like it’s been blown out by a shell
With the terrible lingering stink, and tormented yell,
Of ale, ale everywhere, but not a damn drop to drink!

Greetings from a cellar
At times it’s hard to contain our mania
But we do our best, although for some
They have to succumb,
With a scream and a shout,
Just to let it all out

Greetings from a cellar
Although when all’s said and done,
We’re rubbing along quite well
There's Lords and Ladies,
Mixing with Bobbies and Blaggards,
And also the odd odd lookin’ fella,
Not appearing to know whether,
They are really a Bruce or a Sheila?

Greetings from a cellar
This is the last word I can report on the matter
But at least I can now reveal
The location of where the revelry, will be
It’s The Pack and Carriage
So I do hope you can manage
To get down to the front
So you don’t miss a quip or a stunt
And please bring your family and friends,
To see the show, where the fun never ends!

A Horse, A Horse
An Air-Conditioning System for a Horse….

[SHOW NOW OVER]

(July 2016: Taken from observations made whilst waiting to go up on stage for the Shakespeare play 'Much Ado About Nothing')

Champ Lives On

Spoke Like A Philosopher,

With A Soul Full of Poetry

Ali Surely Was The Greatest

That There Will Ever Be [Amen]

(7th July 2016: As written in the Book of Condolences at the 'I Am The Greatest' Muhammad Ali at The O2 Exhibition)

Can't Complain

I can't complain... but I do

Cuz there's something sticky, stuck on my shoe

Or that I'm now sat here stuck on the loo

After also coming into contact

With some of that super-sticky sort of glue

Whilst having a...

Right old time trying to get the sticky stuff,

Off-ov-a the sole of my right, NOW left shoe!

I musn't grumble... but I do

That the world around me, seems so untrue

With the most belonging to the few,
Who are also unwilling to play fair

Forgetting the wise-words their mothers heeded,

And to her squabbling siblings pleaded,

'Play nicely now, there's no need to fight

It will only lead to no good

And there's more than enough already here,

For it to go round and for us to share'

I can't complain... but I do

And think that you should also do too

For if not now, that person in need

Could quite easily in future, become you

As in the end, all that matters,

Is all that matters

(April 2016)

Turned Out Nice Again

When the headwear has fallen from the bun
Or when life, just doesn’t seem so much fun
Then that’s the time to remember,
The words of this ‘ere rhyme
To sing, strum, hum or whistle, along in time...

For like the parting of the clouds, as is the way
With persistent, patient perseverance come what may,
There’s only one thing you’ll really need to say
It's turned out nice again!
I knew it would, like it always does
Turned out nice again!
A lovely drop of sun, helping take-away the pain
Turned out nice again!
Puckered up, now going with the grain
Oh it has, turned out nice again!

So after all the doom and gloom,
Felt through all the rain
You won’t help but come back to declare,
Through the spouting of this,
Time-honoured refrain...

For when the chips are feeling,
Like they’re falling down,
There is really no need,
To adopt and wear a frown
Rather just look above and you will plainly see

[Chorus]

With a little something you fancy,
And a Kwick-Kiss from the Sweet lips of Rosy Lee
Bringing you back on the mend,
Be yourself once more to resend...

For like the returning of a welcome,
And dear long-lost friend
It’s time to cry out, and laugh aloud like no end
It’s then that you will clearly obtain,

By Jove, it has turned out nice again!

[Chorus]

So when the dog comes a barking at the door,
Simply shew it off, for it’s not welcome anymore
And remember, as has happened many times before,
It always does just, turn out nice again!

[Chorus]

Oh, I do like to be beside the Thames-side…

(February 2016: Taken from the writing of a new play by Andrew G. Ogleby)

Impermanence Permeates

Survival follows the end of a long, constant battle of trying to stay alive,
Striving to go on and on with scant resources available to live on
And where can be heard, the ‘dogs of doom howling more’ in eager anticipation
of what’s in store
In a state where you either give up or carry on, switching over to a primeval
automatic mode
Until the fittest or the fortunate finally resurface to take in the deep life-reviving
breath,
Stepping out from the abyss, released, reduced and reengaging the Soul
Immersed in the glorious life-reaffirming, invigorating sunlight
Having made it to through to the end of the dark, long, unforgiving, tortuous night

But wait! Nothing lasts forever, and no one ever gets out of here alive
Even the seemingly immortal finally succumb to those pre-numbered grains of
sand
From the toughest metal man of rock, taken out with shock!
Living Hard. Dying Fast. As was his want, by the sudden stopping of his terminal inbuilt body-clock
Having though lived many a life and survived many a battle, with no prisoners took
To the Deathly Duke, who knowing he was going, was keeping it well kept
For also knowing as previously sung in another early song,
Proclaiming how a thing like that, would surely impact and profoundly affect the innocently
afflicted

Whereas our own Jimmy sadly soldiered on not knowing his own conscious state, The ultimate elephant, finally succumbing to its inevitable, untimely fate
Having been such a life-force behind the game and the team I support,
Taken them from relative obscurity to the final promotion,
To rightly dine at the top-table the very year of my birth
Then Brad and earlier the original Coventry Rico,
Whose Special band having done so much to integrate and revive life,
Into the crumbling post-war dream under increasing strife

For to really survive, is to live on when they
can no longer revive
As those gone before, including unlucky members of the 27 club taken so soon.
All iconic,. Not bionic. But now far off beyond the distant stars and moon
Crackerjack and Stardust Memories, forever in the hearts and minds of those of
us still left behind
Eternal survivors, far more than just for one day…

Prove approve
To please and re-appease
To prove your self,
And not your worth

Again and again and again
Without refrain but with all the strain
Restricted, constricted, inflicted and suffocated
Prove approve, disprove remove
Never ever enough to push through and just do

(October 2015)

Painful Process(Killing Caring)

Unleashing a
wreckin’ ball,
To demolish a garden shed
Feeling like I’d been inside,
Reeling from the almighty thwack to the head
Not appearing to take account,
Of what was actually being said,
And said and said and said, so sad...

Chapter and verse arriving by hearse,
Over and over and over again
The poisoned post, landing on the mat,
Like an unwelcome and overweight cat
Black and white not seeing the light
Or looking within for the true meaning

White noise so loud it’s become deafening
No apparent care for the state it’s causing
Issued up on high from sublime Ivory Towers
Moving away from what’s down here,
And what really matters

Losing sight of the right to a fair and just fight
What could have simply been made clear,
With an early intervening and humanistic ear
To resolve/restore with attention and due care

Instead of moving away from the issue in question,
To one where it became just plain hurtful deformation
Outnumbered/outflanked/outranked without reproach,
Or assisted representation/intervention and coach

Having paid the price for this pale privilege,
So reassuring the counting and figures add up
To now accept that 5 be the score of 2 plus 2,
And not whatever it was calculated as before
And to never dare ask, let alone dare question

But I do now freely forgive,
And draw a line to try and forget
A process hung heavy with remorse,
And needless bitter painful regret

I just sit
here every evening,
Drink the drink to stop me sobering,
And to make everything more numbing
Thinking of the life I’m not leading
The thankless job I’m just not holding

My distant
wife and family not knowing,
The darkness that’s been growing,
From thoughts and feelings not flowing
My place in life no longer showing,
Replaced by those ‘far better meaning’

Friends no longer round to sound
Things no longer interest me to see
I’m living my life in this isolation,
Devoid of the warmth of humanity
Going through the motions, marking time,
Until something else comes round or I’ll…

I just sit here every evening,
Drink the drink to stop me sobering,
And to make everything more numbing
Thinking of the life I’m not leading
The thankless job I’m just not holding

My distant wife and family not knowing,
The darkness that’s been growing,
From thoughts and feelings not flowing
My place in life no longer showing,
Replaced by those ‘far better meaning’

I was once in demand
Always keen to lend a helpin’ hand
People needed my skills
Now they just pop their pills,
Or search on-line for whatever other,
Elixir they can find
Keeping up with the trend,
Instead of staying on the mend

I just sit here every evening,
Drink the drink to stop me sobering,
And to make everything more numbing
Thinking of the life I’m not leading
The thankless job I’m just not holding

My distant wife and family not knowing,
The darkness that’s been growing,
From thoughts and feelings not flowing
My place in life no longer showing,
Replaced by those ‘far better meaning’

I just sit here every evening…

(May 2015: From 'Troubled meets the Troubadour'by Andrew G. Ogleby)

Landlord’s Story

I get all sorts come in here
Some make some noise,
Whilst others, stare in their beer
I see it as part of my role, to simply,
Offer an ear, if someone appears unhappy
To let them be, or try and given direction,
If they just don’t have a clue, what to do

Either way it
couldn’t be more clear
When all’s said and done,
It’s a human condition
To want to feel free
And be who you are,
And would like to be

So I provide a place of trust, respect and
safety
For them to express their woes, to love and laugh
Tell jokes about life, with no doubt also a few,
About any long suffering other-halves

In amongst the warmth of this Human Zoo
With bleary eyes after having had a few
With a song in their heart and words that now rhyme
Off again, until the need returns,
To come back and do it once more, next time…

Pressure for the Perfect, Pressure for the Perfect
The perfect look, the perfect shape
Pressure for the Perfect, Pressure for the Perfect
The perfect match, the perfect date
Pressure for the Perfect, Pressure for the Perfect
The perfect wife, the perfect life
Pressure for the Perfect, Pressure for the Perfect
The perfect gift, the perfect excuse
Pressure for the Perfect, Pressure for the Perfect
The perfect job, painting the perfect picture
Pressure for the Perfect, Pressure for the Perfect
The perfect delivery, in perfect harmony
Pressure for the Perfect, Pressure for the Perfect
The perfect time, the perfect crime
Pressure for the Perfect, Pressure for the Perfect
The perfect spot, the perfect STOP!

Perfection cannot be forced to be suddenly gained,
That goes totally against the run of the grain
It is precious, beautiful, limited and needs to be nurtured
Forged at the end of a long skilful process
As the flawlessly symmetrical gems in the earth did,
Hidden amongst all that other geological dearth

It is something to
strive to obtain,
To train and train repetitively,
Again and again and again
Until it becomes so natural, fluid
And without any of the previous strain
Although in the hands of the blessed few
There are those who, appear to have been given a gift from the Gods,
With grace and poise and such little noise it appears, oh so effortless…

But they still do have to practice for this to remain affective
And perfection can have its own inbuilt curses,
As in the mania to endlessly replicate or exploit this limited estate
Whilst those that hopelessly watch in awe and try to aspire,
Are left feeling inadequate with want and longed for desire

However, perfection still provides the inspiration for us to all transpire,
‘The Seldom Reached Star’ to progress ever upwards, higher and higher and higher
Although sometimes things should just be left alone as they are,
As on this perfect planet we call home,
For it is perfection as it is
And to unbalance the natural order of things,
Can surely only bring disharmony, for all living beings

March 2015: Had three further poems accepted by TFL for their Travel Better London poetry competition 123

Feb 2015: Written and entered a poem accepted by TFL for their Travel Better London poetry competition

What are You Doing? (Nothing)

Without Nothing there can be no things…
It is from Nothing that everything begins
I mean without before the Big Bang,
Just where would we be?

The Ancients said the Dao gave birth to One,
One to Two and Two to the Three
And from all this, birth to all Things,
That includes you and me

Everything stands next to Nothing
It is the emptiness of the cup,
That allows it to be filled
Or the void of the mind,
Which allows for connection,
To the Universal Field

The use of zero became the hero,
Finally making things add up correctly
And on which they then could be,
Developed experimentally

Although I'd like to see,

Less of the nil, on the score-line,

Of Coventry City's final entry

And a few more noughts,

On the right-hand side,

Of my bank balance
statement

Instead of the nada, nowt, zilch and diddly-squat,

All terms used to denote, it's not got a lot

However, Nothing is also an imposter,

A trickster an
illusionist

As Nothing is actually impossible,

Although Nothing can’t be achieved

Nothing compares when Nothing else matters,

When there’s Nothing left to lose nor fear

So Nothing is in fact everything my Friend,
But just can’t always be seen
The vacuum making things clearer
The bigger picture residing within, every living Being
And as has been said, by a wise sage of yore,
‘Happy is the Man (or Woman) who is Nothing’

Dumb-Down Britain
Just carry on the way you are,
Raise the flag and cheer Hurrah
Dumb-Down Britain
And strive to be the next big star
Never knowing what else exists,
Just beneath your ignorant bliss

(January 2015)

A Message to Fate

You Mock me
No More. You Mock me No More
You Invite me in, only to be Shown the Front Door
You Mock me No More. You Mock me No More
You Build up my Hopes, for them to Swing from the Ropes

You Mock me No More. You Mock me No More
You see me Chase Dreams, that Fall Apart at the Seams
You Mock me No More. You Mock me No More
You watch as they Land and are Trampled into the Floor

This is Life’s Fateful Opportunity for me
In a Parallel Universe I’m joyful and free
And the Life that I lead is Rich and Full
Where breaks are made, fulfilling potential
Fully engaged, contributing, true and meaningful

You Mock me No More, You Mock me No More
No More Ridicule or being presumed the Fool
You Mock me No More, You Mock me No More
Get up, Dust Down and Pay No more Heed to this Rule

(January 2015)

In Chant

Come Brothers, Come Sisters,

Work down to our blisters

O Come Brothers, Come Sisters

Work down to our blisters

Come Brothers, Come Sisters

Let's work down to our blisters

For Love. Realised with the One above

[repeat from start till want to stop]

(Updated December 2014)

Hangin' Heart

Hangin' Heart
left out to dry,
Without moisture dripped from your eye,
Without claret poured from your lips,
To bathe its smouldering hidden depths

Hangin' Heart, its final pump
Stand well back, but there’s no jump
Hangin' Heart, no more to beat
The sound lub-dub turns to a bleep
Hangin' Heart, the Spirit’s left
Forever to roam with Soul bereft

Hangin' Heart,
Please take it down
Drape in its pall
Return to the ground
And attach a warning sign, ne'er to revive
Just in case of being found

(December 2014)

A Cute Christmas

Silent Night, out of
sight
Under the covers full of fright
Pressures on, to stay or run
No callers here for having fun
Last year, with so much cheer
How easily it is for one to fall…

Do please excuse me,
As I now sit this one out,
Locked in a world,
Of mistrust and doubt
Though still wanted to say,
Lest we forget, that no one’s exempt

So open your Heart
To remember Spirit's true call,
When wishing Peace and Goodwill
For not only the few,
But to Every One and us All

(Season’s Greetings from Andrew Ogleby 28thNovember 2014. Also submitted to Cooltan Arts to be part of the Guardian's Christmas Charity Appeal 2014 blog)

Tommies Gone

We’re going off to War
Don’t really know what,
We’re fighting for
But as they, cheer us on
And make, such noise
We proudly, sing this song,
‘All about the Boys’

We’re doing it for King and Country
Train leaves the station, at nine-thirty
On our way, to a Foreign Land
Shiny-sovereign, in our hand
Off, to make some noise,
‘All about the Boys’

…We’ve been in this, God-damn trench now,
For six-months, maybe more
Going into, yet another,
Final Show, of this never-ending War!

Though the moments, in-between
There’s something, quite obscene
Because it’s Love (and rum!) that keeps you going!
And that, you’re doing your Duty,
For those, back-home not knowing
The futile, sacrifice bestowing
A life, with such few joys,
‘All about the Boys’

Roll-up, Roll-up and Don’t be Late!
For the Last of the LATES experience

Presented for your Pleasure,
By the Fabulous Museum Team and CoolTan Crew
Whose iconic Orange hi-viz vests,
Will help guide you through

Treatment or Experiment? A Virtual Reality
The Show enhancing Mental Well-being,
By the Power of Creativity

So Prepare to be Shocked and Amazed at the use of E.C.T

Gasp in Awe at the Wonders of Alternative Therapy

Listen in Horror and Captivation of the Origin,
For the Prometheus inspired Frankenstein, by M. Shelley

See through the holes in a D.S.M

Before taking Time to Explore,
The remaining realms of Fact and Fantasy

So Roll-up, Roll-up and Don’t be Late!
Before the Sun Sets, on the Last CoolTan-LATES

(For Book Launch 28th April 2014)

Lonely Star (To Win for it a Companion)

[Lament]

Oh
lonely star, lonely star how I wonder, why you are…

After
the game as I reflect

Upon
that proud, but lonely star, stitched to the chest

That
signifies that once we were,

The
best, number one

But
now it’s time, long overdue

To
win for it a companion…

[Kicks
In]

The red and white, the
feeling’s right

Colours reclaimed with no more
shame

The red and white, peoples
unite, the World in one

To win for it a companion…

In 1990
it nearly returned

But since
then the lessons learned

And
now it’s time, the stage is set

To banish
the hoodoo

And kick-it
through the back of the net!

The red and white, the
feeling’s right

Colours reclaimed with no more
shame

The red and white, peoples
unite, the World in one

To win for it a companion…

[Drop
Tempo]

It’s
just got to click in place,

We’ve
got the players to triumph

But I’ve
seen the frustration etched upon their face

Though
without that it just wouldn’t be True

‘Cus
we all know the pain, we must go through

[Chorus]

And
as I sign off, one more thing to say

Like
the song before in whose spirit I write

I
know we can play and do it right,

As is
the real English way

Epitomised
in Moore majestically swapping shirts

With
the immortally great Edison Arantes, Pele!

[Chorus]

“We’re
not going home, till the cup’s draped in red and white!”

“We’re
not going home, till the cup’s draped in red and white!”

[To
fade]

(Updated 13th April 2014)

Foot Soak

Foot soak, Foot soak

It ain't no Joke

Foot soak, Foot soak

Whether Rich or Broke

Foot soak, Foot soak

Here's where to begin

Just fill up a bowl if your head's in a spin,

Sit right down,

And put your feet right in

Foot soak, Foot soak

If still in doubt

Foot soak, Foot soak

Just wiggle 'em about

Foot soak, Foot soak

And let it all drain out...

(6th December 2012)

Uplifting Poem

They Say to Laugh,

And Not Frown

Be the Best Medicine

To Not Get Ye Down

But Think how much Lighter You’d Be

To Off-load all Your Shit, appropriately

And How Much Better You’d Feel

To Help Take the Load

From Someone Else, Whenever the Cause

As it’s Good to Feel Free

So Find Your Therapy

Whatever, it be

From [Music], The Arts, Talking/Listening

Through to Cultivating Your Qi

And Let’s Try to Put The Unity,

Back into The Community!

(August 2011)

New Years Affirmation (Jan 2010)

May the Fire in your heart n'er go out
May the Earth you stand upon stay stout
Let Water flow, quench, reassure and refresh
Let Wood Spring forth with direction and hope
And may Metal give inspiration and wonder all about

May all the elements protect, provide and prosper,
And conspire to bring you a long and happy ever after

'Think of ‘God save the Queen’ and replace the lyrics with those below. Better still give the old ‘Bollocks’ a dusting off and sing along... [ ].)

God Save the Keane

The goal-scoring machine

A partnership with Whelan, potential A-1

God save the Keane

He won’t be no ‘has been’

He’ll be the main feature, in ours and Irelands Dreamteam

He leaves defenders prostrate on their face

Bobbin’ ‘n’ weavin’ all over the place

They can’t keep up with him because of his pace

Better watch out keeper he’s comin’ to beat ya!

God save the Keane

We needed that man!

Robbie ‘Keano’ Keane, God save

God save the Keene

Others wouldn’t pay that money

But our spearhead’s as good as there’s been

Oh God save Robbie Keane

God save the mad forays

Oh he’ll have no mercy

All shots not saved!

He leaves defenders prostrate on their face

Bobbin’ ‘n’ weavin’ all over the place

They can’t keep up with him because of his pace

So what is our future?

Pure culture

God save the Keane

We needed that man!

We luv our Keane, God saves

God save the Keane

We needed that man!

There is no finer in England’s front three men.

(And as for Gregory………?)

No future, No future, No future for you !

Oh Keano, Oh Keano, Oh, Keano, Sky Blue

Oh Keano, Oh Keano, Oh Keano, Sky Blue

Oh Keano, Oh Keano, Sky Blue Arrggghhhhh!

(March 2005)

Observations
of Yin and Yang at Work in my Life (Assignment November 2002)

Welcoming the opportunity
to do something a bit more creative than the usual dry, 1,500word essay, I was
initially hard pressed to think of what I could come up with. However, after
watching a tribute to Spike Milligan on T.V the previous Saturday night, I
heard Michael Palin recite On The Ning
Nang Nong (1968) at a memorial concert to the great man. This must have
struck a chord with me, as on the following Monday morning, travelling to work
I penned the first draft of the opening verse in this series Yin Yang Merrily on high (and miserably on
low). Which also has overtones of another well-known Milligan ditty The Ying Tong Song (1956).

This I felt went fairly
well. So then thought about doing other similar short poem/limerick type
verses, loosely in the style of Milligan and also influenced by Lao Tzu (whom,
ironically I consider to be quite similar anyway) to try and illustrate how Yin
and Yang are at work in my life. I think, the very phrase Yin and Yang lends itself to be interpreted poetically, so I hope I
have been able to portray an essence of it’s meaning in this work.

Since I have had no
formal training in writing poetry, and anything I was taught at school is now
long since forgotten, I hope you will take this into account when reading the
verses and above all, hope you enjoy them.

Yin Yang Merrily on High (and miserably on low)

To describe the work,

Of Yin and Yang, or Yang
and Yin,

Well where shall I begin?

You
could say things that are,

Bright
and round are Yang

And
flat and dim are Yin

Or a
rush for the bus is Yang

While
to wait as 3 come along’s Yin.

And
one follows the other

So
neither can win.

Or a
cock-a-doodle-doo’s Yang

And a
twit-to-woo’s Yin

OK,
just one more

Arrggghh
never again!

Or a
bang is Yang,

And
who keep it in, Yin

But
all’s relative…

And
when something is

Yin
within Yang, or Yang within Yin

Well,
that’s when the real fun begins!

(7th
October 2002)

Effects

Effects
of Yin and Yang around me

Some
quite obvious,

Others
hard to see

The
midday sun

The
lunar night

The
sweat on the brow

The
turn off the light

A calm
exterior,

But
inner fright

Fire
in the belly,

But
cold in my toes

Witness
leaves fall,

As the
mushroom grows

(Early Autumn 2002)

Gob Shite

The
more I’m Yin

The
more you’re Yang

But
when I’m Yang, you’re Yin

And as I'm predominantly Yin,

The
louder you are gettin'

(9th October 2002)

Off-side

Footballs
zenith has since passed.

The
game is now on the wane,

After
its cycle has come full circle.

The
proprietor’s wine tasted good for quite some time.

To
them it was a very fine vintage

But
with the nutrients,

Being
drained from its roots

There
only remain a few fruits,

For
those with the greatest exploitation to pick them

Are we
now heading towards,

Those
bleak days of old?

A time
when football mirrored society

The
games nadir

When
crowds were down,

Aggression
and racism up

And
the ball was just given a wallop

If
this is the case,

Then
all those without face

Will
simply jump ship

And
latch onto the next thing

Coming
back round there

So
good riddance I say!

And I
long for the day

When
the football they play

Returns
to that, to be talked about for long after

No
thought about points or of next year

Just
the enchantment of the moment

And as
a Fan, of the once beautiful game

I say
to the likes of you Mr Keane,

Don’t
be so mean

Instead,
try taking up T’ai Chi Ch’uan

(17th
October 2002)

Stag Nations

Yang
is on the rise

I can
see it in their eyes

Talk
of war is grim

I
think we need some Yin

(8th October 2002)

Dichotomy

Each
weekday morning

I set
off into the Yang,

The
bang and the clang

The
sights and the smells,

The
yells and the bells

The
Yang expands

Throughout
the day

As I
try to retain

An
eyeful of Yin,

Come
what may

To
continue with the daily inhibition of my job,

Or
strike out for full transformation and change?

Is the
quandary that now keeps me maintained

Maybe
I should just trust in the Tao,

Knowing
that it will all work out in the end, somehow…

(11th October 2002)

The Calm before the Dorm

Late
Summers Yang is virtually spent

Autumnal
Yin is ascending

A
calmness envelops across the land

After
the fever of the short lasting

Right
now, a balance exists, similar to Spring,

Before
the melancholy of Winter sets in

But
have no fear, ‘cause you know next year

It’ll
do it all over again without asking

(10th October 2002)

Other Half

Where I fail, she begins

When
she’s in difficulty, I step in

She's joyful, patient, calm and relaxed

I’m
anxious, uncertain and easily vexed

We’re
poles apart

But
complement each other

Around
her I can express myself better

Around
me she can trust, and feels safe

Apart
we are torn at the waist

We
make each other laugh

But
can drive both insane

Though
we retain an element

Of the
other’s essence

No
matter how close,

We’ll
always think,

Using
different sides of the brain

She
does things promptly

While
I procrastinate

Then
simply forgets

Watching,
while I get irate

She’s
dark, I’m light

I’m
morning, she’s night

She’s
Fire, I’m Water

I
sometimes smother

But
she never scolds.

The
ocean we swim in

Is
neither hot nor cold

But
warm and loving

Relying
on each other,

To
prevent either from drowning

A Tale of Two Ends of a Tunnel

The
push and the shove to get onto the train

Once
onboard, relax, and let it take the strain

“The
freedom to think, to breathe”

Be
yourself once again

As we
disembark time seems to stands still

No
need to rush here, we’ll have our fill

Eat
and drink on into the night

No
tension around, no need to get uptight

Air’s
clean, food fresh and drink chemically free

Though
don’t have too much, some of it’s 6.3

At the
market on Sunday try with all my might

Saw
hundreds of people but not a mobile in sight!

Arriving
back at Waterloo it didn’t take long

To
retake our place back amongst the throng

Delays
occurring on the Victoria Line

Bus
stuck in jam along the Blackstock Road

But
what do I care

‘Cause
I’m feeling fine

I
haven’t put my clock back

I’m
still on con-ti-nen-tal time!

(22nd October 2002)

Ain’t No Messin’ with Mr In-between

In a
positive frame of mind

Nothing
stands in my way

It’s
an easy game to play

In
touch with my creative side

Ideas
come thick and fast

Witty,
thoughtful, charming

Energy
up, get on with the task!

When
tables turn

Moods
change

Words
hard to find

Self
conscious, self absorbed

Not
wanting to take part

Unhelpful
thoughts cloud my mind

Easily
annoyed, emotions well-up

Until
unable to hide

The
negatives last longest

Not in
a manic sort of way

Just a
feeling of heaviness

Until
released for a stay

The
answer I know

Is to
remain focused

Keep
occupied

“Idle
be not”

Haul
myself up, dust down

Get
back in my stride!

(25th
October 2002)

Bibliography

Milligan,
S. (1956) The Goon Show, BBC Radio,
London

Milligan
S. (1968) Silly Verse for Kids,
Chaucer Press, Suffolk

Mitchell
S. trans. (2002) Tao Te Ching, The Book of the Way Lao-Tzu, Kyle Cathie, London